Investigations conducted as a part of environmental or remedial projects generally
involve a delineation of the extent of soil and/or groundwater contamination. Monitoring
wells (or micro wells) are usually installed to facilitate measurement of water-level,
gauging for groundwater supply exploration involves characterization of an aquifer relative to
groundwater storage and transmission, water quality, and long-term safe yield.
Investigative techniques involve test drilling and installation of wells or
microwells,
exploration geophysics, water quality analyses, and test pumping.

The drawing above
depicts a test boring rig drilling into water-saturated and unsaturated soils. A
proper
selection of drilling tools would also permit penetration and sampling of the underlying
bedrock.